The Rose That Blooms In North
Chapter 30: La Winterthur

They rode long enough, but not towards the Palace. There was a place known only to Xavier, Eleanor and Elias. The place is the Hill of Light which is located not far from the Winterthur residence. Named as such, because from the height of the Hill, they can see a vast expanse of residential residents filled with light illumination from each house and when looking up, they can see the expanse of residents who are filled with lighting from each house, the star-filled sky felt very close to them, as if they could take the light of those stars from the sky.

When the three of them were little, and when Xavier was too afraid to return to the Palace because Empress Selena might do something bad to him again, he would go to the Hill of Light with Eleanor and Elias. That place was the place they were heading to when they needed an escape from their lives. A young boy who has a cruel stepmother and holds the responsibility of succeeding the throne, and a pair of twin brothers who promise to accompany and protect her no matter what happens in the future also keep their family's dark secret. The three of them formed a friendly bond many years ago on the Hill of Light.

“This is your ring. I've learned it." Eleanor said, breaking the silence. She took out a ring with Ruby gems from the pouch of her dress. "I don't know where you got it from, but this is one very powerful medium of magic. So you can take out the Dragon heart core and put it in this ring with my magic. But the risk is, if the ring is far from you, you won't be able to survive. And if the ring falls, you'll feel the same pain. If this ring is destroyed you will probably.”.

Eleanor was unable to continue her words, but Xavier knew what she was going to say.

"Dead. Don't you?"

Eleanor nodded. "Don't do this, Xavier. Too risky." Eleanor looked in pleading.

Xavier took the ring from Eleanor's hand and observed it. “I have to do it. Maybe with this I can save him. Can you help me move it?”

Eleanor remained silent. He wants to reject Xavier's request, but he has promised to help him and do all his requests. The agreement they have done for years is what binds them. Grimoire Agreement.

"Elle? Please..."

“Yes. I can." Eleanor replied reluctantly. "After this, we should not go straight to the Palace. We go to my house. There are many pieces of my magic equipment that I have not yet transferred to the Palace. It has to be there. Not in Palace.”

"Thank you very much."

"I should be thanking you. I know everything you've done up to this point, it's all for me and my family."

"And about what happened in that greenhouse... I'm sorry, Elle. I'm really sorry I spoke to you so badly. Of course you don't know because I didn't tell you anything."

"It's okay. I understand now." Eleanor said with a sincere smile.

"What?"

"You broke Dylan's hand and almost killed him, even though I knew you did that for me, to defend me, but I still couldn't let you do that. I don't want you to hurt him. I realized back then that it was also the way you felt when I made Anna again feel her psychological trauma by bringing rain."

"I didn't mean—“

"Xavier, you love him."

"It's not. That's because the heart of the Great Fire Dragon—“

"And you are the Great Fire Dragon. You always say that as if you and the Great Fire Dragon are two different people. You are the reborn Great Fire Dragon." Eleanor said as she looked at Xavier curiously. There were too many things that Xavier hadn't told Eleanor. Although at first the girl did not bother him because even though they were engaged, they wanted to maintain their privacy. But now Eleanor wants to know everything so she won't make the same mistake. "Then, this is just my guess, is it true that Princess Anastasia is the reborn Great Queen of Zhenra?"

Xavier laughs. She could never really hide the secret from Eleanor. "You're the smartest girl in Nordhalbinsel."

Eleanor's pupils widened, surprised that her assumptions had been correct all along. Eleanor had expected him from the beginning to notice Xavier looking at Anna in a different way. With a gaze he had never seen done to anyone other than Anna. Xavier may not realize it, nor may anyone realize it, but Eleanor knows.

"really that? So I was right? Anna, who turns out to be Princess Anastasia, is the reborn Great Queen of Zhera? Gosh darn. Why didn't you tell me? Why are you hiding so much from me? How's her condition now? Is she okay? Oh my God, I have committed a great sin. The gods will curse me."

"Now you sound like Elias." Xavier laughs. "Let's calm. She's doing just fine. The doctor said he had a high fever, but it's been treated." Xavier was silent for a while, considering Anna's face lying on the bed was unconscious. At that moment he was completely panicked because Anna's face was extremely pale and her body felt extremely cold like a corpse. But after the doctor told her that Anna was fine, all her fear went away. Xavier doesn't know he can be that hot on someone he doesn't really know.

"Sorry not to tell you. I don't want you involved in this." Xavier said, answering Eleanor's previous question.

"Whatchu mean? I was involved from the beginning when you made that deal with me twelve years ago. Ah, I forgot to tell you. I erased some of Princess Anastasia's memories of tonight. But I'm not too sure my magic is strong enough to be able to work on her now that I know that she's Grand Empress Zhera."

"Your magic can't work on her?"

"According to the legend that I know, Great Queen Zhenra has immense holy power because her mother is the Goddess of Heaven. There aren't many old manuscripts that mention it, but I do believe that. That is why the four Naga—including you—until it came down from the sky to help him when he was having trouble. Neither did the magic work against Grand Queen Zhenra. Unless that holy power hasn't fully awakened in his body."

"Stop it. I think some of that sacred power already exists."

"Where do you know?"

"The scar on my entire body is gone now as if it had never existed before."

"What's? When did he—oh... I get it." Eleanor laughed happily to see Xavier trying to hide her embarrassed expression. "I've spent years studying potions and magic that can remove scars but never succeed. And Princess Anastasia did it easily with just one kiss. Very impressive. This is the power of the Great Queen's love."

"Stop. I didn't mean to do it in front of you." Xavier's face flushed.

"You're obviously intentional. Calm down. As your fiancee as well as your friend, I'm not jealous if that's what you're worried about." Canda Eleanor.

"I knew. I'm not worried about you."

Eleanor smiled proudly. He felt like an older brother who had managed to raise his younger brother well. Her feelings are now much better even though her relationship with her love has just ended.

"Finally you found it. Someone who can melt the giant ice wall in your heart that you've built since childhood." Eleanor smiled at Xavier. "You remember? When we were kids, you said you wouldn't fall in love with anyone. Because your father who was that easy switched hearts from one woman to another. And you said I was the right partner because we had the same goal, and were equally determined to never fall in love. When I started growing up and saying that I love anyone, you kept your determination not to love anyone." Her memory.

"Gee, your memory is truly remarkable."

"Xavier, you're a good man. You're just afraid that one day you'll become a man like your father and hurt the woman you love. You don't have to be scared anymore, Xavier. You just need to love her without fear or regret for good."

"Aren't you sorry you loved Dylan even though he hated the Grimoire clan?"

"No. I'm not sorry at all. I love her, and that's the most important thing regardless of how she feels about me after knowing the truth." Eleanor. Xavier looked silently at Eleanor's words. They had been together for many years, so Eleanor already knew what was on Xavier's mind without even saying it directly. Eleanor patted Xavier on the shoulder. "You don't have to worry. I will do whatever it takes to protect Princess Anastasia from Selena and from anyone who intends to hurt her. Because he is the most precious person to you, and that means the most to all of us."

Xavier smiles. Eleanor was already a sister she could never have. She was so grateful to have a friend like Eleanor at a time like this. "Thank you very much, Elle. But protecting him is my job. You should be more worried about yourself. Don't go out of the palace alone like that. Too dangerous. At least take Elias."

Eleanor sighed as Xavier started nagging her. "But this is the night of the Wolves. It's time to hunt. You know for yourself that Wolves don't like to be bothered the most when they're hunting."

"Ah, right. I left it at the Palace in a hurry to find you."

Eleanor stood up and extended her hand to Xavier. "He's probably home now. Let's go to my house and begin the transfer of the Fire Dragon's heart core to the ring."

Xavier was just about to stand up, but Eleanor suddenly fell back down.

"Elle? You why?"

Eleanor simply fell silent as she closed her eyes and covered her mouth as if holding something out of her mouth, "I don't know. I've been feeling really bad this morning."

"I think I've been very careful about that. Maybe not poison."

"Then should we postpone—“

"No. We don't have to postpone it. I'm not really sick. Maybe just a little tired. I will recover soon with the potion I made at home. Let's get to my house."

***

Twelve years ago...

Winterthur's residence is no ordinary house. The house was too big to be called a house, more like a Palace. Even the Palace would be ashamed to call itself a Palace if it saw how magnificent the Winterthur residence was.

It is inhabited only by Grand Duke Winterthur and his wife, Lilithier Winterthur and their two children, the Winterthur Twins, Eleanor and Elias. That morning, their house looked even grander than usual. From a long time ago, the entire roof was repaired. The whole wall paper is updated. All floors and windows are scrubbed until they are completely shiny. They even bought new curtains with ice blue which is the typical color of the Winterthur Clan. All the servants in the tens were also busy since the early morning, passing by to make sure the entire corner of their house was clean and tidy. Make sure the food is ready and nothing is lacking. The bodyguards and soldiers led directly by Grand Duke Winterthur had been marching neatly since early in the morning. The flag of the Kingdom of Nordhalbinsel is flown in front of the house. That morning, they were all preparing to welcome the upcoming presence of Crown Prince Nordhalbinsel for his first visit to their residence.

Eleanor Winterthur's whole life, from the moment she was born, was to prepare for this day. The day she will meet her future fiance who is three years younger than her. Because after their engagement was held, she would no longer be referred to as the Princess of Grand Duke Winterthur, but rather the Crown Princess of Nordhalbinsel. Unlike the previous tradition where a new girl would be referred to as the Crown Princess after her marriage to the Crown Prince, Eleanor would become the Crown Princess after their engagement was officiated. It was because of the will of the late Queen. Eleanor Winterthur has everything ready for today. As the Princess of the Grand Duke and General who guarded the border of the northern region of Nordhalbinsel, she was obliged to learn the science of war strategy and the basics of swordsmanship. As the Princess of a Grimoire, and a future royal magician, she must learn witchcraft and study at the Tower from childhood. As the candidate of the Crown Princess, she has been equipped with Crown Princess lessons, lessons in Royal Order, to the knowledge of state and royal politics that have begun to be learned since she began to speak. His whole life was to learn and prepare himself to become the perfect match for the future Crown Prince who would become King of Nordhalbinsel. There was no time for him to play around like most children his age.

Eleanor was jealous of her twin brother Elias. The boy seemed to be freer than him. He is not burdened with the need to be perfect. Although still, Elias was required to learn to be the successor to the Grand Duke since childhood and given lessons in swordsmanship since he began to be able to stand. Actually, both are the same. They both have a predetermined future from the day they are born and cannot have a normal life like other children.

The boy stood before him. Staring at Eleanor with a judgmental look, as if ascertaining whether Eleanor was worthy enough to be her companion in the future. His black hair was as dark as night and his eyes were emerald, just like what he often heard from people who had already seen the Crown Prince directly. The Emerald's eyes were the most beautiful eyes Eleanor had ever seen. Like a very expensive jewel.

After a series of formalities in welcoming the arrival of the Crown Prince, the introduction of Crown Prince Xavier and the rest of the Winterthur family is more like a ceremony, now they were just the three of them in the Grand Duke's study. The eleven-year-old Crown Prince asked for a privacy meeting between himself and his future fiancee and everyone else.

"So you're gonna be my fiance?" Ask Xavier.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Eleanor replied, as much as possible keeping her voice sounding humble yet graceful.

"You're just a little girl apparently."

Elias, who had been silent in the room and refused to leave Eleanor, came forward as the Crown Prince looked down on his twin sister. "Jaga. We're three years older than you. You're still a kid anyway." Elias was full of emotion. From the very beginning, even before their first meeting, he did not like the Crown Prince whom everyone specialized in.

"Who is this little boy?" Xavier asked Eleanor, completely ignoring Elias' words.

Elias, who was feeling emotion because the younger child thought he was a child, advanced towards Xavier, but Eleanor immediately held him back. "Elias, remember the words Father and Mother." Eleanor said to Elias in a whispery. Eleanor's words succeeded in arresting Elias. Because they had been warned by both of their parents to be respectful towards the Crown Prince and that the Crown Prince was the reason their family was still alive.

"He is my twin brother, Elias Winterthur. I was three minutes older than her, so I was her brother. Please forgive her impoliteness, Your Majesty." Eleanor.

"Ah, so it seems. So it's true that rumor I heard that the future Crown Princess has a twin sister." Xavier said as he glanced at Elias who was still holding back his emotions. "It's kind of troublesome. Though I just want to talk alone with my future fiance."

"Whatever you say, say it in front of me. We're one package." Said Elias.

Eleanor agreed. He felt he needed Elias beside him at this moment.

"All right, no problem." Xavier sighed, then smiled cynically. "Lady Eleanor, I want to make a deal. And this is no ordinary deal. I know you're a Grimoire. The agreement with a Grimoire was an Unbreakable Agreement. I hope you've learned about this."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I've learned about the Unbroken Covenant. The same agreement that the late Queen Irene made with our Mother, the Lilithier Grimoire. But I have to hear first what agreement do you want to make?"

"I know you all should have died eleven years ago when my father, King Vlad, gave the order of execution to the entire Winterthur Clan and their descendants. But the King ended up leaving the Wolfgang Winterthur Family due to a treaty made by Queen Irene on the Grand Duchess Lilithier Grimoire-Winterthur. The Grand Duchess has promised to give up her child to be the spouse of the child the Queen will be born with. If the child born is a Crown Prince, then the daughter of the Grand Duchess will be his partner. If the child born is a Princess, then the son of the Grand Duchess will be her partner."

Eleanor was surprised that Xavier knew about the contents of the agreement in great detail. She herself had known about her mother's agreement with the Queen since childhood.

Eleanor tried to keep her surprise out of sight, "Right, Your Majesty."

Xavier noticed Eleanor's calm demeanor, and Xavier was confident that Eleanor would be a good partner later on. Although the reason for coming here was because he had already investigated the Grand Duke's daughter and believed that the little girl was very intelligent and he was confident that Eleanor would accept the agreement.

"I promise to make Lady Eleanor Winterthur Queen and ensure the Winterthur Family will not be sentenced to death. Instead, you..." Then Xavier glanced at Elias who had been listening silently since he was trying to understand the current situation, "Ah no, because you are one package, so you are, you are, I had to promise to be the only one who was loyal to me and did not betray me later. Promise to always help me and keep me company until the end of whatever happens."

Eleanor weighed in before actually agreeing to the treaty. The thing Xavier offered was huge, which was to become Queen, and the thing he had to do was just as simple as being the one to help and accompany her without betraying her at all. If he accepts the agreement, automatically, his mother's promise to the Queen will be fulfilled and his mother will be spared punishment for possible breach of promise.

"What if we break the agreement?" Ask Elias.

"Based on the ancient record of the Grimoire Agreement, you will be given a very severe punishment." Xavier.

"What punishment? Dead?"

Xavier laughed bitterly. "No. Sure ain't. Death is not the greatest punishment. I think Lady Eleanor already knew that."

Eleanor looked at Xavier and Elias alternately before finally speaking, "I have indeed read it. A Grimoire who violates the Grimoire Agreement will be sentenced to a Thousand Years of Suffering."

"But unlike our ancestors, we are ordinary people. We don't live a thousand years." Elias Refute.

"That's the punishment. We will live forever for a thousand years and suffer for that long. Even if we try to kill ourselves, we will not die but still feel pain. We will also see the people we know die first until finally there are no more people we know. The punishment will also make our bodies in pain, nightmare every time we close our eyes, and never feel happy. That's the punishment we're gonna get."

Elias shuddered at the explanation from Eleanor. "Why so horrible? What punishment will he get?"

"Nothing."

"What?"

"Basically, the Grimoire Agreement was only for the Grimoire Clan. We are the promising. We are the ones who get the punishment for breaking it. Meanwhile, the party we promised, only offered a reply that we would receive if we managed to fulfill that promise. So there's no punishment for him."

"That's not fair." Said Elias. But Eleanor didn't think so. The little girl thought this was a golden opportunity she might never get again. To save her family and become Queen so that no one else can touch her family.

"Then will you reject him?" Ask Xavier. But his gaze only focused on Eleanor. Because the boy knew that Eleanor was the decision maker between the two of them.

"No." Reply Eleanor.

"No?" Elias was flabbergasted, never expecting his twin sister to agree to the agreement the Crown Prince had put forward.

Eleanor looked at the two emerald eyeballs seriously. Without even blinking a bit, he said solemnly, "We will accept the content of the covenant."

***